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D.The Assyrian Empire (1300-612 BCE) Semitic language group settling in the north Tigris area as early as 3000 BCE Became skilled in chariot warfare and began to conquer neighbors Reign of Sennacherib (705-681 BCE)

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D. The Assyrian Empire (cont) Assyrian brutality produced hatred and rebellions among subjugated peoples Sophisticated, far-sighted and effective military organization --invented concept of a corps of engineers The defeat of the Assyrians and the destruction of Nineveh

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E. New Babylonia (612-539 BCE) Medes and Chaldeans defeat the Assyrians in 612 BCE Most famous Babylonian ruler was Nebuchadnezzar The defeat of Belshazzar by the Persians in 539 BCE

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E. New Babylonia (cont) The ancient city of Babylon The Ishtar Gate The Hanging Gardens Babylonian astronomical achievements Not “astrologers” Babylonian court astronomers and their diaries

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A. Political History Under the Pharoahs Divided into 6 Eras Archaic Period—1 st Pharoah Old Kingdom Period—Building of 1 st pyramid and era of royal absolutism First Intermediate Period—central authority disappeared

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A. Political History (cont) Middle Kingdom Period— Golden Age of royal cooperation with middle class and democratization of religion --concept of “ma’at” Second Intermediate Period—Hyksos invasion New Kingdom Period— Era of Empire and the Exodus of the Israelites

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B. Egyptian Religion Polytheism to Quasi- Monotheism back to Polytheism Significance of the Sun God “Amon-Re” and Osiris, the God of the Nile Pharoah was the representative of Amon on earth Cult of Osiris personified the life-giving power of the Nile

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B. Egyptian Religion (cont) Mummification and the Hereafter Egyptian polytheism took many forms including the worship of animals Stress on ethics in Egyptian religion Amenhotep institutes the worship of Aton around 1375 BCE --Queen Nefertiti King Tut restores worship of old gods

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C. Egyptian Intellectual Achievements Hieroglyphics Importance of the Papyrus Plant Experimentation in all sorts of literature Interested in practical science—calendar unrivalled until the time of Julius Caesar Medical Achievements Mathematical Achievements

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D. The Splendor of Egyptian Art Sudden appearance of the Pyramids Pyramid of Khufu Reasons for the voluntary labor that built the pyramids Temple Building replaces Pyramid Building during the Middle Kingdom --Temple of Karnak

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E. Social and Economic Life in Ancient Egypt Class system in Ancient Egypt Huge gap between the rich and the poor Treatment of Women Economic system built on agriculture Trade flourished after 2000 BCE Early Egyptian factories Egyptian Business Innovations --invented deeds, contracts and wills --oldest known currency in history

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IV. The Persian Empire (539 BCE on) Far-sighted Diplomats who allowed subjects to practice native customs and religions—Cyrus the Great allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem Persians gave the Ancient Near East political unity and cultural diversity The rule of Cyrus the Great